Tap to get financing
Industrial Property Loan
Financing Options
Permanent Senior DebtLife CompanyCMBSBankConstructionBridgeMezzanineSmall BalanceSBAFind the Right Lenders
Resources
Property CharacteristicsInvestor GlossaryIndustrial Property InsuranceIndustrial Finance BlogAsset Types
For Brokers
Get financing →
Newly Published
Mar 7 at Industrial Property Loan
Environmental Due Diligence in Industrial Real Estate
Jan 11 at Industrial Property Loan
Your Guide to Smart Industrial Real Estate Investing
Aug 26 at Industrial Property Loan
Rate-and-Term Refinance in Industrial Real Estate
Explore the Janover Network
May 8 at HUD Loans
The 2025 Developer's Guide to HUD Lender Matching
Apr 22 at Janover Inc. Investor Relations
Janover Inc. Announces Corporate Name Change to DeFi Development Corporation
Apr 16 at Janover Inc. Investor Relations
Janover Inc. to Host X Spaces Conversation on NAV Premiums
Was This Article Helpful?
Industrial Property Characteristics Glossary
2 min read
by Jeff Hamann

Security Considerations for Industrial Real Estate

Not every industrial property needs the same level of security. Find out what you need to know about securing your facility.

In this article:
  1. Considerations for Securing Your Industrial Facility
  2. Location
  3. Operations
  4. Products, Equipment
  5. Related Questions
  6. Get Financing
Start Your Application and Unlock the Power of Choice Experience expert guidance, competitive options, and unparalleled industry expertise.
Click Here to Get Quotes →
$5.6M offered by a Bank$1.2M offered by a Bank$2M offered by an Agency$1.4M offered by a Credit UnionClick Here to Get Quotes!

Every commercial real estate investor should get familiar with securing their properties, though different types of buildings require a different approach to ensuring people, products, and vehicles are secure, both from accidents as well as crime — including theft and vandalism.

Considerations for Securing Your Industrial Facility

For an industrial asset, common approaches to security include traditional motion sensors, alarms, and video cameras, but other preventative measures may be called for, like increased lighting systems or gated truck courts. However, to determine how you should approach security at your property, consider three main factors.

Location

First, is your industrial property located in an area significantly affected by property crime or theft? If you would not feel comfortable walking around the area after dark, your tenant’s employees may not be either. Installing extra lighting in truck courts and parking lots may help, but depending on the level of risk, many industrial operators opt to have a security booth onsite, manned by security personnel.

Operations

How late will your tenant be on-site each day? Is it a round-the-clock operation, or just a manufacturing or distribution facility with workers coming in during the day? Based on this assessment, you can tailor a security program that suits your property’s needs without draining your budget unnecessarily. While it may be ideal to have a security team on-site 24 hours a day, a smaller building may be secured just as effectively at night by one person instead of a two- or three-person team.

Products, Equipment

Finally, are valuable goods kept on-site? If you own, for example, a distribution center that stores products, extra security can be a boon — especially if those items are worth significant capital. This doesn’t just apply to goods passing through your facility, however, but also includes things like high-end equipment and even extends to items kept in trailers overnight — or vehicles in the truck court.

Related Questions

What are the most important security considerations for industrial real estate?

The safety of an investment is a huge factor in deciding whether purchasing a property is a good idea for an investor. There are a couple of factors to look at here, including an investor’s personal knowledge of the real estate in a particular area. For example, if you were to buy a commercial property in your neighborhood, where you’ve lived for years, it could be much safer than purchasing property in another state, where you are much less familiar with the market. Additionally, the riskier the investment, the higher rate of return you should expect. For instance, if you were purchasing a Class B or C office building in a somewhat run-down or up-and-coming area, you would want a significantly higher rate of return than you would for a premiere, Class A office building in an expensive metro area.

When it comes to industrial real estate, the most important security considerations include the structure’s column spacing, clear heights, electrical supply, or floor thickness. These are all important to some extent, as they can affect the safety of the building and the investment.

What are the best practices for securing industrial real estate?

The best practices for securing industrial real estate depend on the type of investment you are making. For example, if you are looking to purchase a Class A logistics center, you should consider the building's column spacing, clear heights, electrical supply, and floor thickness. Additionally, you should look for features such as loading equipment, parking, and other exterior and interior considerations. If you are looking to purchase a Class B asset, you should consider the potential for repositioning the asset to increase its value. You may also want to consider taking out a fix-and-flip loan to help finance the repositioning. Sources: What to Know Before Making Your 1st Industrial Property Investment

What are the most common security threats to industrial real estate?

The most common security threats to industrial real estate include theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. Theft can be a major issue for industrial properties, as they often contain valuable equipment and materials. Vandalism can also be a problem, as it can damage the property and disrupt operations. Natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes, can also cause significant damage to industrial properties. Additionally, cyber security threats, such as data breaches and ransomware attacks, are becoming increasingly common and can have a major impact on industrial properties. For more information on cyber security threats, see this article.

What are the best ways to protect industrial real estate from theft?

The best ways to protect industrial real estate from theft are to ensure the property has secure truck courts or trailer parking, and to invest in assets with top-of-the-line loading equipment. Additionally, investing in a Class B asset at a lower price point and bringing it up to speed with modern features can help protect the property from theft. Parking ratio and value-add commercial properties are important considerations when investing in industrial real estate, and fix-and-flip loans can help finance the repositioning of a dated industrial facility.

What are the best ways to protect industrial real estate from vandalism?

The best ways to protect industrial real estate from vandalism are to install security cameras, motion-sensor lighting, and fencing. Security cameras can help deter vandalism and provide evidence if it does occur. Motion-sensor lighting can also help deter vandalism by making it difficult for vandals to remain undetected. Fencing can also help protect industrial real estate from vandalism by making it difficult for vandals to access the property. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the property is well-maintained and that any graffiti is removed quickly.

For more information, please see the following resources:

  • Vandalism Protection: How to Protect Your Home or Business
  • Vandalism Prevention: How to Protect Your Home or Business
  • Vandalism Deterrents: How to Protect Your Home or Business

What are the best ways to protect industrial real estate from natural disasters?

The best way to protect industrial real estate from natural disasters is to ensure that the building is up to code and meets all safety requirements. This includes making sure that the building is structurally sound, has adequate fire protection, and is equipped with emergency power and backup systems. Additionally, it is important to have a comprehensive insurance policy in place that covers natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Finally, it is important to have a plan in place for how to respond to a natural disaster, such as evacuation plans and emergency contact information.

For more information on how to protect industrial real estate from natural disasters, please see this article from CommercialRealEstate.Loans.

In this article:
  1. Considerations for Securing Your Industrial Facility
  2. Location
  3. Operations
  4. Products, Equipment
  5. Related Questions
  6. Get Financing

Getting commercial property financing should be easy.⁠ Now it is.

Click below for a free, no obligation quote and to learn more about your loan options.

Get financing →

Janover: Your Partner in Growth

At Janover, we offer a wide range of services tailored to your unique needs. From commercial property loans and LP management to business loans and services for lenders, we're here to help you succeed.

Learn more about Janover →
Commercial Property Loans

Get the best CRE financing on the market.

Explore Financing Options →
LP Management

Syndicate deals on autopilot with Janover Connect.

Discover LP Management →
Business Loans

Match with the right kind of loan, in record time.

Find Business Loans →
For Lenders

Supercharge your loan pipeline. Unlock more deals.

Boost Your Loan Pipeline →
Industrial Property Loan

Industrial Property Loan is a Janover company. Please visit some of our family of sites at: Multifamily Loans, Commercial Real Estate Loans, SBA7a Loans, HUD Loans, Janover Insurance, Janover Pro, Janover Connect, and Janover Engage.

Janover Tech Inc.

6401 Congress Ave
Ste 250
Boca Raton FL 33487

[email protected]

Site Information

Privacy Policy
Terms of Use


For Commercial Mortgage Brokers

This website is owned by a company that offers business advice, information and other services related to multifamily, commercial real estate, and business financing. We have no affiliation with any government agency and are not a lender. We are a technology company that uses software and experience to bring lenders and borrowers together. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies, our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively.

Freddie Mac® and Optigo® are registered trademarks of Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae® is a registered trademark of Fannie Mae. We are not affiliated with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.

This website utilizes artificial intelligence technologies to auto-generate responses, which have limitations in accuracy and appropriateness. Users should not rely upon AI-generated content for definitive advice and instead should confirm facts or consult professionals regarding any personal, legal, financial or other matters. The website owner is not responsible for damages allegedly arising from use of this website's AI.

Copyright © 2025 Janover Tech Inc. All rights reserved.

+

Fill out the form below and get the pricing and terms banks can't compete with.